I laid the ground rules BEFORE I got married. I have skipped many "family" parties or functions to watch the Steelers. Everyone in my family knows me by now... Don't mess or bother me when the Steelers game is on....

If I didn't have my 3 year old, it wouldn't be that much of a problem but when my wife and I agreed to having a child, the deal was that I would be available to watch her more often than not and at family gatherings, she (the 3 year old) tends to get wound up and becomes a hand full - me being from the north, country, and old school is quick with a spanking so it takes the stress level off my wife.

While I appreciate the encouragement, some times the rules change for the sanctity of the house in which I live. At least it's not the playoffs, then my wife knows I'd be missing parties.